Fitchburg Felon Pridgen Pleads Guilty to Firearm Offense

A brazen attack in Fitchburg culminated in a guilty plea from local resident Satron Pridgen, 46, who found himself facing federal charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

On September 16, 2023, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Pridgen was outside Mill City Pub in Fitchburg, where an altercation between two men ensued. During the chaos, Pridgen approached a third man from behind, grabbing him in a chokehold and pulling out a loaded pistol to beat the man in the head multiple times. When law enforcement intervened, Pridgen attempted to flee and discard the firearm near a dumpster before being apprehended.

Pridgen’s past convictions have rendered him ineligible to possess firearms and ammunition. He has prior convictions out of Worcester Superior Court, including a November 1999 conviction of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, for which he was sentenced to 9 to 10 years in state prison. He also has a conviction for armed assault with intent to rob and assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, as well as possession of a firearm and ammunition as a career criminal, for which he was sentenced to 10-12 years in state prison.

Pridgen’s latest charges could result in a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing will be held on August 22, 2024, in Worcester federal court.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case, with support from Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Division, and Fitchburg Police Chief Ernest F. Martineau.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy in 2021, focusing on fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.

Fitchburg resident Satron Pridgen’s guilty plea marks a significant milestone in the effort to combat gun violence in the city. As the case moves forward, the community can expect continued efforts to ensure public safety and hold accountable those who break the law.